Priyank Panchal is a Senior Tax Assistant with the Income Tax Department, Gujarat. He got into the I-T department through the sports quota in 2014. Recently, the I-T officer-cum-battler replaced Rohit Sharma in the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa.
“Even before he joined the Income Tax department, Panchal was passionate about it. He was recently transferred to the Rajkot I-T department, but a few months later he was appointed back to Ahmedabad. The Gujarat Income Tax department supports this young talent. He makes everyone proud.” said a well-placed source at Aaykar Bhavan.
Panchal, who was part of the India A tour to the country earlier this month, got his newest opportunity after BCCI confirmed that Rohit Sharma had been ruled out due to a left hamstring injury.
“Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad. Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session in Mumbai. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa,” the BCCI tweet stated.
Panchal holds a postgraduate degree in financial management and wants to pursue a course in sports management. He works with the Income Tax office during the off-season. He is a science geek, who is fascinated by artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms on how stock markets work and how air fares rise and fall.
He’s also a big fan of the Golden State Warriors and the NBA. Reading is his passion – he particularly enjoyed books on Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Sheryl Sandberg, and Arianna Huffington.
The 2016-17 Ranji Trophy’s highest run-getter, who has transformed from an underachiever to a promising opener, has finally forged an identity after eight years of domestic cricket. When he debuted as an 18-year-old in 2008, he was so overawed by being in the Gujarat dressing room that interactions with his team-mates were restricted to the field. Seven years on, the man who could hardly mumble a few words to his captain, is now often consulted and merits respect as a senior player.
